Traveling Geologist: Another move

The nursing home in Antioch hired a permanent OT the month I started. Luckily she didn't start until the month I was leaving. I ended up covering in a few of their facilities...including one up in Napa my last two days. (a 45 min drive each way!) only two days and I stayed in town and met friends for dinner the last night.. so it worked out well!

I took a week off between contracts and flew home for Thanksgiving. I had a nice time with family and friends. Then flew back in on Sat night had some friends help me pack my car (apt was all packed up before I left). Went to lunch and for a last hike at the Black Diamond mine area in Pittsburg CA (again similarities with PA..coal there too!) then drove down to Merced to stay the night in a hotel. Found an Apt on Monday and moved in on Tuesday after my first day of work.

I spent this weekend emptying the rest of my car and recovering from a cold...hmmm can't imagine how I got sick...could be that all of my coworkers were sick this week too!

So I am working at another nursing home...learning lots of things that need to be improved...mostly medicaid and medicare!! I got really frustrated on Thursday when I was told to evaluate a patient who had a pretty bad stroke. I was told to only recommend 3 treatment sessions...NO WAY! That is all that was covered. I recommended what I thought he needed and if insurance won't pay it that is not up to me.. It's what he needs. He is on medicaid and they don't cover therapy. Luckily he may qualify for medicare....soon I hope!!

Anyway here are a few pictures of my new place and the Black Diamond mine area before I left Antioch!

hiking the trails around the black diamond mine preserve.

Apparently the gopher snake resembles the rattle snake...Similar patterns and it can make itself look like one by flattening its head into a diamond shape!! Apparently not all rattle snakes have rattles...they sometimes fall off!

Finishing the hike the car is packed and I am ready to hit the road!

Merced CA

The first week in December and the leaves are finally turning! I can't get used to this climate!
Its in the 30s at night now and 50s during the day.

My new place. I don't get it...all the apartment complexes in CA have car ports... the girl said the frost gets bad!! Is she kidding?? I was thinking it was for the sun in the summers? I wish we had these in CO for the hail storms!